Rajinikanth Snubbed a Movie with Rajkumar, Spills Director Mehul Kumar; Nana Patekar Had His Say Too

Oh, Bollywood! The land of glitz, glam, and enough drama to put any soap opera to shame! Hello, my dear gossip mongers, it’s your one and only Bollywood Newshound Nisha here, ready to spill some spicy tea on our beloved film industry. Buckle up because today’s serving is extra juicy! 🍿

When Rajkumar Met Nana (Almost Not!)

Ah, the year was 1993. A simpler time, when mullets were still kind of cool and we didn’t know what a TikTok was. The blockbuster of that year? None other than Tiranga! Directed by Mehul Kumar, this flick was a patriotic extravaganza. But oh, the drama behind the scenes could have been an entire movie in itself!

So, Mehul Kumar initially had his eyes set on Rajinikanth to star alongside Rajkumar. Yes, you heard it right, our very own Thalaiva was almost in Tiranga! But guess what? Rajinikanth took one look at the script and said, "Nope, not working with that whimsical Rajkumar!" Ouch! 🫣

From Rajinikanth to Naseruddin Shah to… Nana Patekar

After Rajinikanth’s rejection, Mehul Kumar approached Naseruddin Shah. And guess what? He turned it down too! Enter Nana Patekar, the man with the intense eyes and an even more intense personality. Someone suggested Nana, who was then known for his artsy roles in films like Parinda.

When Mehul Kumar called up Nana, he flat-out refused, saying, "I don’t do commercial films." 😂 Oh Nana, you artsy soul! But Mehul was persistent. He told Nana, "No one’s going to know you exist if you keep doing those art films nobody watches outside Mumbai!" Burn! 🔥

The Ultimatum: Rajkumar vs. Nana

Finally, Nana agreed to read the script. The next day he invited Mehul over and said, "If Rajkumar interferes, I’m walking out and never coming back." Dramatic much? Well, this is Bollywood after all! Mehul assured him it wouldn’t be an issue, having already worked with Rajkumar on two films.

Now, Rajkumar had his own opinions. When Mehul informed him about casting Nana, Rajkumar said, "That guy’s a total brat. Swears on set. Might even throw a punch or two." 😲 Despite these initial hiccups, the two completed the film. While they managed not to kill each other, they were far from BFFs on set.

A Hit Despite the Drama

Released in 1993, Tiranga was a smash hit. The patriotic theme resonated with audiences, and the songs "Pi Le Pi Le O More Raja" and "Yeh Aan Tiranga Hai" were chartbusters. So, despite all the behind-the-scenes drama, the movie made its mark.

Nisha’s Nonsense Nugget

Bollywood Lesson #101: You don’t have to be friends to make a hit movie, but it sure makes the tea spicier!

So, my dear movie buffs, that’s the spicy scoop for today. Keep your popcorn ready because in Bollywood, the drama never ends! 🍿✨